Henri Matisse was an atheist... or so everybody thought. In his old age he employed a beautiful nurse. When she decided to become a nun, Matisse was moved to design a chapel. It was to be 'the crowning achievement' of his career.

Pope Francis has captured the attention of the secular media as few other Catholic figures have. This week, The New Yorker featured Francis on its cover as a playful snow angel, and offered a profile of 'a radical Pope’s first year.'

A Sydney digital creative and father of three, Galvin Scott Davis, has taken the idea that the anonymity of technology encourages bullying and turned it on its head.
Galvin Scott Davis's eight-year-old son, Carter, came to him for help after being bullied.

BY PATRICIA FEENAN
I learned that the Prime Minister had announced a Royal Commission into child sex abuse on the radio, while I was driving. An interview on the topic of sexual abuse was interrupted to say that the Royal Commission would happen. I put my

Last Thursday was the Feast of St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra and progenitor of Santa Claus.
Santa’s red suit is a product of an iconic Coca-Cola advertising campaign. I’m not sure how he was moved from Turkey to the North Pole. As for the

BY MICHAEL McGIRR
There are patron saints for everything from hats (St Barbara, who was beheaded) to shoes (St Crispin, who was also beheaded). What about the unofficial patrons?
St Ambrose (340–397) is unofficial patron of those who won’t be

Sydney Archdiocese’s online youth community xt3 has an Advent Calendar for 2012 at www.xt3.com/advent.
Every day they are releasing a new reflection or resource as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
FULL ARTICLE:
What is Advent?

Gospel for Sunday 9 December – Gospel Luke 3:10-18
The crowds, who were gathering to be baptised by John, asked him, “What should we do?” In reply John said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and